The CAEC exam is designed for adult learners who have not completed high school and are seeking a high school-equivalent credential.
In this post, we take a closer look at who is eligible for CAEC testing.
Upon completing the five CAEC modules (independent sub-exams), applicants are awarded a diploma.
This diploma indicates students have mastered skills and knowledge at the level of Canadian high school graduates.
The diploma allows for post-secondary education, better employment, and job advancement. CAEC applicants must be Canadian citizens and residents of their respective province or territory.
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CAEC test candidates must be at least 18 years old and not hold a high school diploma or equivalent. In some jurisdictions, applicants aged 17 or 16 may also qualify if they meet special circumstances.
Please be aware that when you prepare for the new computer-based CAEC test, you should work with materials specifically designed for the CAEC exam!
The new Canafian exam is different from the earlier GED exam, and GED prep materials are not suitable for CAEC preparation!
What is the new CAEC?
A new Canadian-made adult education credential has replaced the GED test in Canada. As of May 3, 2024, the GED test for HSE (high school equivalency) is no longer available in the country.
Canada has developed its own Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), a high-quality credential that has replaced the GED exam. This transition does not affect the validity of already completed GED diplomas.
The new CAEC test, like the GED, includes five modular, independent subtests covering the academic subject areas of Science, Math, Language Reading, Language Writing, and Social Studies.
Whereas the Canadian GED exam was offered exclusively in a paper-based format, the CAEC test is available on a computer and on paper (in some jurisdictions). Testing can be done in English and French.
What is a CAEC, and who is eligible for CAEC testing in Canada?
CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) refers to both the exam and the diploma awarded upon successful completion of the five sub-exams that comprise the CAEC test. So, let’s see who is eligible for CAEC testing.
The five independent CAEC subtests are modular, meaning you can write them one at a time and in any order. To learn more about the CAEC test’s subject matter, read our post “What’s On The CAEC Test.”
As mentioned, the CAEC test is for adults without a high school diploma. The secondary education credential enables them to secure well-paying employment, advance in their current position, enter college or university, or access professional training or apprenticeships.
How to prepare for the CAEC test
Preparation for the CAEC test is available at brick-and-mortar sites across Canada, and the official CAEC website also offers support.
However, for students with busy schedules, a high-quality online prep course like Cansego CAEC Prep provides many advantages and may be the best, fastest solution.
Cansego has developed a comprehensive, affordable online CAEC prep course that covers every topic on the CAEC exam.
Working with an online program allows you to study when, where, and what you want, putting you in the driver’s seat. You control your progress, saving you time and money.
How to get a CAEC?
You can get your CAEC diploma after passing the five standardized tests of the new Canadian Adult Education Credential exam.
The five sub-exams are independent modules covering Language Arts Reading, Language Arts Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The Canadian provinces and territories issue the CAEC diploma.
The CAEC passing standards require candidates to achieve at least 55% correct across the five modules. You can take the modules in any order you prefer, and one at a time. Retakes can be written up to three times per calendar year.
Is CAEC a replacement for GED?
Yes. The CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential) has replaced the Canadian GED (General Education Development) diploma.
The CAEC is Canada’s new high school equivalency (HSE) program, developed in cooperation with other Canadian provinces and territories.
GED diplomas remain valid, and students who have already passed parts of the GED test in Canada can use these results toward the new CAEC until May 3, 2027.
Who is the CAEC for?
Like the GED, the CAEC is for adults who don’t hold a high school diploma and want to earn a secondary education credential for employment or to open doors to post-secondary education institutions and professional training programs.
Will the GED still be recognized?
Yes, the GED diploma remains valid. It will continue to be recognized and accepted in lieu of a common high school degree.
Most Canadian colleges and universities require a high school diploma for admission, but more are expected to accept the new CAEC or a GED as part of their admissions process.
However, acceptance into a university or college with a GED or CAEC depends on the school and the province.
What if you have completed parts of the GED?
If you have taken and passed parts of the Canadian GED exam, you can transfer your results to the new CAEC test.
Be aware, however, that this transition period ends three years after the new CAEC was introduced, so you have until May 3, 2027.
Three years may seem like a long time, but we urge you to complete the CAEC as soon as possible.
Online learning is a proven method to accelerate your preparation efforts and get all set for the (remaining parts of the) CAEC test.
Cansego has developed an affordable, award-winning, comprehensive CAEC preparatory program that covers all elements of the new Canadian HSE (High School Equivalency) exam.
Cansego’s online course will get you all set for success on the CAEC test in no time!
Where was the CAEC developed?
The CAEC program was developed in Alberta in collaboration with other provinces, employers, post-secondary education institutions, and apprenticeship program providers.
So, Canada’s new high school equivalency testing program was entirely developed in Canada!
The CAEC program aligns with what Canadian adult learners need and expect, and Alberta’s government played a leading role in developing the new exam and replacing the GED test.
Where is the CAEC implemented?
The CAEC program was introduced in most of Canada in 2024, but certain provinces and territories have their own rules and implementation schedules.
British Columbia, for example, discontinued the GED test in 2014 and uses its own Adult Graduation Diploma Program (Dogwood). Quebec, Nunavut, and Yukon have not implemented the CAEC exam as well.
The CAEC has been adopted and implemented in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, and Ontario.
Notice: We focus on delivering high-quality online CAEC courses, but we do not offer the CAEC exam itself. We aim to help you pass the CAEC exam quickly and efficiently. However, confirming the above-listed information with official CAEC sources is essential for accuracy.
